Docker container actions and service containers only work on 'ubuntu-latest'?

[BrightRan]

Associated GitHub Community ticket: https://github.community/t/does-service-containers-only-work-with-ubuntu-latest/133246

We can see the following description from the docs (see here and here):

Note: If your workflows use Docker container actions or service containers, then you must use a Linux runner:

• If you are using GitHub-hosted runners, you must use the ubuntu-latest runner.
• If you are using self-hosted runners, you must use a Linux machine as your runner and Docker must be installed.

However, according to our test with ubuntu-20.04, ubuntu-latest (ubuntu-18.04), and ubuntu-16.04, all of them can run Docker container actions and service containers.

Looks like, the description

If you are using GitHub-hosted runners, you must use the ubuntu-latest runner.

is not accurate, and causing misunderstanding.
It should express clearly that all the GitHub-hosted Linux runners can run Docker container actions, service containers and job containers.

[mittalyashu]

Reference: https://github.community/t/does-service-containers-only-work-with-ubuntu-latest/133246?u=mittalyashu

[Darleev]

Hello @BrightRan @mittalyashu,
Thank you for the report.
It seems we are not able to assist you with the provided case, since we do not support github docs in out repository. I believe, the following link "Contact support", should be the right way to find a correct team to handle the case.
If additional information or assistance is required, feel free to contact us.

[Darleev]

@BrightRan @mittalyashu, I will try to find a resposible person to handle the case and add the required changes to the documentation.
I will keep you posted.

[BrightRan]

Thanks for your help, @Darleev .